Ground Soil Improvement Work for the Construction of Udaipur Station Yard in State

of Tripura by Using Pre-fabricated Vertical Drains (PVDs)

A. S. Garud, CAO/Con-1/MLG,
Harpal Singh, CE/Con-8/MLG, Rajveer, Dy. CE/Con-1/AGTL, N. F. Railway
January 2016
1.0 History
In connection with constructio n of New BG Line fromAgartala to Sabroom (111.8 km) in State of Tripura, Report on Pre-
construction Survey and Geotechnical Investigatio n was submitted by RITES in May, 2011. The Proje ct consists ten Stations and
connects three districts of the Tripura state namely, Sipahijala , Gomati, and South Tripura. City Udaipur, a famous pilgrim place
is the District Headquarter of Gomati District. Commissioning of the proje ct has been pla nned in two phases, Phase-I:Agarta la–
Udaip ur Section (44.11 km) in March 2016 and Phase-II, Udaip ur-Sabroom Section (67.69 km). As per the Survey Report
submitted by RITES, to avoid displa cement of peoples from heavily popula ted urban area and involvement of thick Sal tree forest
land,the Construction of Udaip ur station yard has been proposed between km 41-43 and the site of construction has been shown
as vacant and paddy la nd. In Geotechnical investigatio n of site carried out by RITES, it was concluded that the sub-soil in general
are medium to good quality. The sub-soil is characterised by its very soft to soft/medium, silty clay layer below which a loose to
medium dense and then dense silty land layer is existin g. Further due to presence of poor quality soil up to 12.5m below existing
ground le vel, deep foundation was recommended for the constructio n of structures in yard. However, no ground soil improvement
work was recommended by RITES for the construction of 6.2 m high embankment.

Constructio n of Embankment on proposed site of Udaipur started on 20.12.2010without adoptin g any ground soil improvement
work. Earthwork was completed approximately 80% in the Yard during March’ 2012, for 4 lines inclu din g island pla tform between
line no. 3 & 4 with average height from 5 m to 5.2 m fro m km 41.8 to 42.85. However during constructio n, failure of embankment
was noticed first in Septe mber-2011 when embankment heig ht was 3 m to 3.5 m, shear failure occurs on the edge of the
embankment due to settlement and the heaving up of the ground soil up to 30 m from the Toe (Fig.-1). Last failure of
embankment occurred on March-2012 and after that further earthwork was stopped.

Further geo-technical and hydrolo gical investig ation was carrie d out and it was found that the site of construction of Udaipur
station yard is situated at low lying area. Earlier th ere was a lake, known as Sukhsagar. It is pounded throughout the year and
durin g the monsoon the average heig ht of water level rises to 3m to 4m above the orig inal ground levels. Construction of
Embankment has divided the pounded area (low lyin g area) in to two parts. Now water flows from upstream to downstream
through km 41.90 and 42.4 00 opening provided in the Embankment. It was noted that apart from cracks in embankment, heaving
up of ground level occurred up to 30 m from the toe of the Embankment.

RDSO, Lucknow was requested to visit the site in December 2012 and after having site visit, field & laboratory test, RDSO
submitted their Consultancy Report on Rehabilitatio n of Unstable formation (from km 41.85 to km 42.80) at Udaipur Station Yard
in Agartala -Udaipur-Sabroom, New B.G. line project, NFR in January 2014. Key Recommended of RDSO were are as given
below:-

a) Constructio n of embankment, having slope of 4.5:1 for 3.1m height from GL (i.e. for lower half portion of embankment)
and slo pe of 2.5:1 for rest 3.1m heig ht of embankment (i.e. for upper half portion of embankment) with 26.5 m wider
sub bank at 3.1m from top.
b) Constructio n of embankment should be carried out in stages with measurement of settlement & pore pressure. The
recording should be done regula rly during construction. Earthwork should be stopped when pore pressure ratio of sub
soil exceeds beyond 0.7 or distressin g of embankment noticed visually durin g construction until settlement stop and
pore water pressure dissip ates

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However, due to additional requirement of land for the construction of wide sub banks, more time required for stage constructio n,
time constraint and to avoid la rge settlement of embankment in future.IIT, Guwahati was also requeste d to study the site
conditio nin June, 2014. After detail site in vestigation, IIT Guwahati submitted report in April 2015. Key recommendations of IIT
Guwahati are given belo w:

a) The site comprises of 9-13 m of soft clay below the existin g ground level (EGL). Suitable ground improvement
measures need to be adopte d prior to the embankment construction.
b) The existing embankment must be stripped off and should be rebuilt after implementing appropria te ground
improvement scheme.
c) Owing to the time constraint of the project and unavaila bility of stone aggregate nearby to the site, using PVDwould be
the feasible ground improvement measure.
d) It is recommended that stage-wise constructio n of embankment should be adopted by allowin g sufficient time between
each stage.
e) It is advised to develop the entire station yard area up to a heig ht of 2 m before rising the railway embankment to full
height.
f) Proper drain age, provision of berm and slo pe face protection measures should be adopted for the rebuilt embankment.

Accordingly, method for ground soil improvement work using prefabricated vertical drain s (PVDs) for the construction of Udaipur
Station yard has been adopted.The Details of use of PVDs for the construction of Udaip ur yard are discussed belo w:

2.0 Prefabricated Vertical Drains (PVDs):

Prefabricated vertical drain (PVD) can be defin ed as any prefabricated material or product consisting of a synthetic filter ja cket
surrounding a plastic core. Because of their shape, they are also known as band or wick drains. Prefabricated vertical drains are
commonly used to decrease the drainage path within soft soils to accelerate the time of primary consolidatio n. Prefabricated
vertical drains are artificially created drainage paths which can be installe d by several methods and can have a variety of physical
characte ristics. The vertical drain s can reduce settlements from years to months. Due to this reason, most settlement occurs
durin g construction phase itself, and post-constructio n settlements are reduced to bare minimum.The details of PVD and
schematic diagram showing its function is shown in Fig -3.

Fig. 3: Prefabricated Vertical Drain and its function

The stages of construction of embankment on soft soil using PVDs are as given belo w:

1. Site Clearance and Levelling.

2. Marking of Points.
3. Installation of PVDs.
4. Laying of Coarse sand.
5. Laying of Non-Woven Geo-textile
6. Laying of Granular Blanket
7. Installation of Instruments for Monitorin g
8. Laying of Woven Geo-te xtile
9. Stage constructio n of embankment

Initially site was cleared from vegetation and any debris present. Top Slush layer of soil was removed and was back filled to
provid e firm platform for installation rig. The marking of poin t for installa tion of band drain shall be done as per the prior approved
grid pla n. At Udaipur triangular grid plan at a distance of 0.8 m has been adopted. The Fig.4 shows the clearing of site, marking
of points and insta llatio n of PVD using hydraulic rig weighin g 10 Tonne mounted on 30 Tonne base machine, a rectangular
mandrel of size about 120 mmx 60mm (external dimension) having thickness of 8 mm was used to install PVDs.
 Fig. 4: Site Clearance & Levelling, Marking of Points & Installation of PVDs

The sectio n of the embankment used for the construction of 6.2 m hig h embankment is shown in Fig. 5. After the in stalla tion of
PVDs 150 mm thick layer of coarse sand has been provided. Top of the PVD over th e working level shall remain in this layer.
Over the coarse sand non-woven geo-textile has been provid ed thereafter 300 mm thickness granula r material confirming to
Table 300-3 of MORT&H Specifications (Cla ss III preferred for fast drain age) has been provided. A layer of Woven geotextile has
been pla ced at the top of the granular blanket layer to prevent the intrusion of surcharge earth to the granular blanket layer. Fig. 6
shows the sequence of work execute d in the field after installa tion of PVDs.

Fig. 5: Schematic Diagram Showing Section of Embankment construction at Udaipur

Fig. 6:Sequence of work after

installation of PVD.
a) Laying of Coarse sand.
b) Laying of Non-Woven Geo-
tex tile.
c) Laying of Granular Blanket. d)
Laying of Woven Geo-tex tile.
e & f) Stage construction of
embankment.

For the monitoring of the ground soil improvement scheme, followin g instruments have been provided:

1. Piezometers – Casegranade Type/Porous Tube

2. Settlement Recorders – Plate Type.

Casagrande type pie zometer is basically a porous tube connected with the stand pipe. The pore pressure varia tion is measured
by measurin g th e variatio n water level in the stand pip e. The pore pressure varia tion is measured by measuring the variation in
water level in stand pipe. To measure the water le vel in stand pip e electronic wate r level indicator (electrical soundin g device)
"
shall be used. The recorder sounds beep when the tip of this recorder touches the water level in the stand pipe. The depth can
be directly measured with a special non expandable measurin g tape attached to this recorder

The Plate type settlement recorder is being used for measurin g the settlement of virgin soft soil in which a pipe is connected to a
square base plate made of mild steel. The size of the base pla te has been kept as 400 mm x 400 mm x 10 mm thick and the
same is to be placed on the virgin ground. Fig. 7 shows Casagrande type piezometer and settlement recorder used in the field.

Fig. 7: Casagrande type Piezometer & Plate type Settlement Recorder

The construction of embankment by using PVDs for ground soil improvement at Udaipur Station yard of Agartala -sabroom New
Line project is in progress, the orig inal soil parameters and desig n details for the use of PVDs are discussed below:

3.0. Design Calcul ation for Udaipur Station Yard

3.1 Original Soil Parameter
Depth of of soft Clay (H) 13.25 m
Average Density of soft soil ( f ) 16.34 KN/m3
Drainage path (Sin gle Drain age) 13.25 m
Coefficient of vertical consolid ation (Cv) [Assumed] 4.39 x 10 -4 cm2/sec
(Assumed)
1.3835 m2/year
Coefficient of horizontal consolid atio n (Ch) 6.58 x 10 -4 cm2/sec
2
2.075 m /year
Average degree of consolidation 95 %
Ch /Cv ratio of the soil 1.5
Cohesio n 0.04 kg/cm2 (4.00 kPa)
Angle of Internal Frictio n 19 o

Embankment Parameters:
Density of Embankment ( ) 19 kN/m3
Height of Surcharge (h) 2.5 m

3.2 For Virgin Soil

a) Safe Bearing Capacity
Ultimate Bearing capacity , qult = c x Nc
Where, c = Avg. Cohesion of soil layer = 4.00 kN/m2
Nc = Bearing capacity factor = 5.14
Hence, Ultimate Bearin g capacity, qult = 20.56 kN/m2
Safe Bearing capacity, qsafe = qult / FoS
Where, FoS = Factor of Safety = 2.5
Hence, Safe Bearin g capacity, qsafe = 8.22 kN/m2

Pressure in tensity to be supported (of Embankement) = 141.8 kN/m2

Hence, Ground Improvement is requir ed.

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b) Settlement of Soft Clay
P0 + δ P
Settlement of the soft clay layer is calcula ted as δ = C C × H × log
1+ e0 P0
Where,
Thickness of soft clay layer, H = 13.25 m
Compression index, Cc = 0.25
Initial void ratio, e 0 = 0.69
Initial overburden pressure, P0 = γsub x H/2
= 43.26 kN/m2
Increament in pressure, δP = 141.8 kN/m2
Hence, total settlement of the la yer, δ = 1.242 m
= 1242 mm
C) Time for 95% Consolidation:
Average depth of soft soil layer is 13.25 m.
TvH 2
Single drain age has been considered as the bottom layer of gravel and weathered. t =
Cv
Where, Tv = dimensionless time factor for degree of consolidation
Cv = coefficient of vertical consolidation
= 1.3835m2/year
H = drainage path = 13.25 m for single drain age
Time required for 95% degree of consolid ation,
Tv = 1.127 1.127 x13.252
t=
1.3835
t = 142.92 _ Years
t = 51199_ days
Required days are 51199; therefore there is a need to consid er other option to expedite the consolidation of soil. Prefabricated
vertical drain may be used to minimize the number of days required for 95 % consolidation. The details of

3.3 By Using PVD

Drain Properties:
Width of TechDrain (PVD), a = 100.0 mm
Thickness of TechDrain , b = 4.00 mm
Equivale nt diameter of PVD d w= 2(a+b)/ π
d w= 66.2 1 mm

3.3.1 Computation of Time Period for 95% Consolidation:

With 0.8m Spacing:

Degree of consolid ation required, U = 95
Spacing of PVD, S = 0.8 mt.
Pattern of installa tion = Triangula r
Hence, Area treated by single band drain , A = 0.866 x S2
= 0.554 m2
Equivale nt diameter of cylindrical colu mn, D = 2 * sqrt (A / π )
= 0.84 m
Equivale nt diameter of band drain, d = 2 * (b + t) / π
= 66.21 mm
= 0.067 m
Time period for consolidation is calcula ted as per HANSBO's equation,

Where,

Hence using above equatio n,

Hence, time perio d for consolidatio n, t =0.0425 * [1.78+0.34+0]*2.9957
= 0.27 yrs.
= 3.31 months
=100 days for 95%Consolidation

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 3.3.2 Stage wise construction and corresponding Settlement

Height of P0, P, No of Settlement Cumulative Time* Cumulative

embankment, kPa[H/2*6.53] kPa Days due to load Settlement, period, Uh settlement, m U
m [( h*19)+24] with time, mm mm days (achievable)
0 43.26 0.00 0 0.00 0.00 0 0.00 0.00 0
0.5 43.26 33.50 20 0.488 0.488 20 0.45 0.22 17.75
1 43.26 43.00 20 0.099 0.587 40 0.70 0.42 33.71
1.5 43.26 52.50 20 0.089 0.676 60 0.84 0.56 45.37
2 43.26 62.00 20 0.081 0.756 80 0.91 0.69 55.67
2.5 43.26 71.50 20 0.074 0.831 100 0.95 0.79 63.76
6.2 43.26 141.80 0.407 1.238 **
* Considering 20 days of time period after ex ecution of each stage of 0.5m height.

3.3.3 Construction Plan for Embankment:

From the above following construction plan for the 6.2 m heigh embankment has been proposed:

Corresponding degree
Height of Time
Cumulative of consolidation after
Stage embankment, Required
Time in days Completion of each
in m for Stage
stage
1 0.5 20 20 0.45
2 1 20 40 0.7
3 1.5 20 60 0.84
4 2 20 80 0.91
5 2.5 20 100 0.95
6 6.2 - - **

** As per PVD calculation mentioned above, at 100 days - 95% of consolidation will be achie ved. Hence, No waiting period
is necessary after 95% of consolid ation (i.e. 100 days).

Stage wise construction and correspondin g gain in bearin g capacity:

Gain in strength due to consolid ation* = k x U x s
Where, k = 0.11 + 0.0037 x PI
PI = 18
Hence, k = 0.1766
Density of embankment = 19 kN/m2

No of days in above table is considered as total time required for execution and waitin g period for each stage. After
completion of days given for each stage, next stage of execution (increase in embankment height) shall be starte d

3.3.4 Gain in Shear Strength and Factor of Safety during Stage Construction:

Increased Bearing
Height of Corresponding Initial Gain in Final
No of pressure P Capacity
embankment, degree of Cohesion, Cohesion Cohesion, FoS
Days [due to DL of soil, in
(m) consolidation (kPa) value kPa 2
(kPa) kN/m
0 0 0 4 0 0 4 20.6 -
0.5 20 45 4 9.5 0.75 4.75 24.4 2.57
1 20 71 4 19 2.38 6.38 32.8 1.73
1.5 20 83 4 28.5 4.18 8.18 42 1.47
2 20 91 4 38 6.11 10.11 51.9 1.37
2.5 20 95 4 47.5 7.97 11.97 61.5 1.3
* K = 0.11 + 0.0037x PI is Skempton ex pression to determine constant kto used for the relation of undrained shear strength and effective
overburden pressure. [Reference: Advance soil mechanics by Braja M Das, Table 7.5, pg 449]. The ex pression is for normally
consolidated clay. Hence, for intermediate partly achieved consolidation stage, the gain in shear strength shall be k x U x s

The overall stability is also checked for maximum height of embankment, i.e. 6.2m and for intermediate heights during
construction, with increased shear parameters, at correspondin g degrees of consolidatio n. The analysis has been carried
out by using Software Rein forced Slope Stability Analysis, ADAMA Engineering, I nc. The FoS as achieved through analysis are
tabulated below.

%
 Height of embankment, FoS FoS
(m) Global Stability, Static Condition Global Stability, Seismic Condition
6.2 1.58 1.08
2.5 3.38 1.72
2.0 3.91 1.83
1.5 4.99 1.74
1.0 8.40 1.94
0.5 24.78 1.85

4.0 Conclusion:
With the use of prefabricated vertical drain s, the time required fo r the construction of embankment has been reduced
considerably at Udaipur yard. The constructio n of embankment after installa tion of PVDs at Udaipur Station yard has already
been started. Instrumentation and Monitoring with settle ment gauges and pie zometers are bein g done as per the methodology
and design and a comparison of the final settlement obtained is to be made with the anticipated settlement considered while
designing. Detailed analysis of settlement data, pore pressure dissip ation, gain in shear strength are to be done and a
comparison statement shall be prepared for these again st the initial values calcula ted/assumed during desig n stage and thus
performance and functionin g of PVD shall be evaluated based on the comparison statement after completing the stage
construction of embankment.

References:
1. Specifications for Road and Bridge Works MORTH (Fourth Revision), Published by the Indian Roads Congress.
2. Prefabricated Vertical PVC drain age system for construction of embankment on compressib le soft soil, Report No.
GE-E-68, December 2008.
3. Working of Prefabricated Vertical Drains- A Case Study, International Journal of Innovative Research in Science,
Engineerin g and Technology (ISO 3297: 2007 Certified Organization) Vol. 2, Issue 8, August 2013 .
4. Design Details of Ground Soil Improvement Work using PVD at Udaipur Station Yard Complex between Km 41.6
to Km 42.7 in connection with Agartala-Sabroom, New Line Proje ct, Tech Feb India, July 2015.

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